Emmerdale marks a major milestone next week with a brand new storyline that may well result in the death of a key character, as confirmed in my new picture gallery.
The ITV soap celebrates its 10,000th episode with a throwback to days gone by, with a village fete organised by Nicola King (Nicola Wheeler) and Bob Hope (Tony Audenshaw).
Bringing together the community and paying tribute to the serial drama’s roots, the celebration proves a true Emmerdale triumph, with everyone in good form as a result.
Well, almost everyone.
With Nicky Milligan (Lewis Cope) still on a ventilator, concerned mum Ruby Fox-Miligan (Beth Cordingly) fears the worst and her mood is soured when she sets her sights on Ethan Anderson (Emile John), who is to blame for her son ending up in hospital.
Ethan, in fact, finds himself public enemy number one, receiving glaring looks from Caleb (William Ash) and Cain (Jeff Hordley) too. As everyone gathers in the village, Charles (Kevin Mathurin) is concerned as Ethan fails to show up.
On the outskirts of the village, Ethan’s bloodied and battered – having been deliberately knocked down. He later stumbles into the village, before collapsing in Main Street. The three most likely suspects watch from afar.
But who is to blame? And will Ethan pull through?
Elsewhere, Tom King (James Chase) agrees to seek help for his violent outbursts and abusive behaviour but, during the appointment with local GP Liam Cavanagh (Jonny McPherson), he manipulatively throws Belle Dingle (Eden Taylor-Draper) under the bus, claiming she has anger issues – and that she asserts coercive control over him!
The audacity.
Later in the week, Tom’s abuse spirals out of control when he destroys the anniversary of Lisa’s (Jane Cox) death, with Belle publicly lashing out at him – as the villagers watch on in shock.
But wait, there’s more!
Ella Forster’s (Paula Lane) secret is revealed as she beds down in her car, having nowhere to stay. Liam finds out and offers her a roof over her head but this is just the tip of the iceberg, with Ella seemingly having a lot of skeletons in her closet as she visits a care home.
A game-changing week that is not to be missed.
